The Smiling Sword: Hunt for the Muri Khan

"You really believed me?" Aren heard that..

Before Aren could react, she lunged forward with a hidden blade, her eyes burning with unexpected fury.

Aren stumbled back, narrowly dodging her first strike. He didn't want to fight her ,not like this ; but she left him no choice.She pushed forward, her movements fast and wild, spikes of energy shooting from her wrist guards. One of them sliced across his side, leaving a shallow but stinging wound. He clenched his jaw.

"I didn't want to do this… but you forced me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

He finally unleashed his full fighting skill. He stepped in close, twisting and sliding past her sharp attacks. His blade met hers in a furious dance of sparks and clangs. With each movement, he read her patterns, every spin, every faint feint.

In one final, swift move, he knocked her blade aside, swept her legs, and pinned her to the ground. She struggled fiercely, but he quickly wrapped ropes around her wrists and ankles, binding her tight.

Breathing hard, Aren stood above her, shaking his head.

"I'm always weak at this… women always betray me," he said, his voice heavy with pain and disappointment.

He snapped his fingers sharply, stepped forward, and raised his dagger to her cheek. Slowly, he drew a thin mark across her skin, leaving a light line of blood.He pressed the blade closer, almost sinking it in ;but something inside him stopped his hand.With a sharp exhale, he let the dagger drop and turned away.

"Hey, girl… I guess I'll leave you here. Save your sister , after that, she stays with me as my student and friend," he said, his tone firm but distant. "And I'll tell her you died telling me to take care of her. … Maybe I should eliminate you right now… but no, I can't really do that."

He turned and pointed to the smiling sword, which shimmered in the moonlight as if listening.

"I'll hand you over to him instead," Aren said coldly.Valerie stared at him, eyes wide, shocked that he still showed her mercy after everything.Aren turned sharply to the sword, anger flashing in his eyes.

"You lied to me," he snapped, his voice tight. "Why did you say she was telling the truth?"

There was a heavy silence. Then the sword's spirit finally spoke, its voice echoing softly in his mind.

"She did tell the truth," it said calmly. "Ask her yourself. Her heart didn't lie… but maybe her actions did."

Aren stood there, breathing hard, torn between anger and confusion. Slowly, he knelt beside Valerie, gripping the ropes around her wrists tighter.

"Why did you charge at me?" he asked, his voice low now, almost pleading.

Valerie kept her head down, her messy hair falling over her face. Her breath shook, her shoulders trembled.

He waited, watching her closely.

Daylight had already crept in.

"Since you won't answer, I'll have to make you talk," Aren said coldly. "Smiling Blade, give her a scratch."

The sword lay still, not moving.

"You heard me. Give her a scratch," he repeated firmly.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the Smiling Blade asked, hesitating.

Aren's eyes were sharp, his face darker than before. He was changing, no longer willing to give anyone a chance to betray him.

He turned, stepped forward, picked up the sword, and walked toward the door.

"You're hiding something… but let's not let that stop us," he muttered. "Time for training. Today, I reach Rank Two."

"What about her?" the sword asked.

"Let her stay there. I'm not trusting anyone anymore," Aren replied without looking back.

The sword fell silent.

"Now… let's get to it," Aren said, walking out, sword in hand, heading for the training grounds.Behind him, Valerie stayed tied up, left alone in the watchtower. She twisted her wrists against the ropes, leaving red marks on her skin. The cut on her cheek had stopped bleeding, but the sting still burned.

"You think you can just leave me here…?" she whispered to herself, her voice low and sharp.

Outside, Aren tightened his grip on the sword, unaware of the storm building behind him.

Later, Valerie finally stepped out. She watched him from a distance, her eyes full of regret and something hidden.

Under the morning sun, Aren moved fiercely on the field, the man and his smiling blade moving as one, sharp and unstoppable.

Valerie finally walked up to him at the training grounds. Aren was sitting on the ground, the sword beside him, catching his breath after another round of training.

She touched his back lightly. Aren felt it right away. He turned quickly, his eyes sharp, and stepped back.

"What do you want? Leave me alone, betrayer," he snapped.

Aren took a deep breath, trying to steady his heart. He picked up the sword again and stood tall. He still wouldn't drop his guard.

After picking up the sword, he looked at it and joked, "She's beautiful, right?"

He was back to teasing the blade, but inside, he was already planning how to avoid betrayal.

He stared at Valerie, studying her closely. He saw regret in her eyes.

"Why is she standing like that?" he asked the sword.The sword answered calmly, "I think she's sorry. She wants to apologize."

"Hey, don't say 'I think.' Tell me clearly," Aren snapped.

The sword sighed. "She is sorry."

Valerie stepped forward a little, but not too close. Tears shone in her eyes as she spoke.

"I'll leave right away… but please, promise me you'll help save my sister. I'll be grateful forever," she said, her voice shaking.

Aren shook his head slightly, almost laughing. "Stop that. I'm past that stage –you cry, I forgive you, then you betray me again. Please, just leave me alone… or else," he said, leaving the threat hanging.

She didn't move. She stayed there, silent.

"Don't want to leave?" he said coldly. He took a step forward, lifting the sword slightly.

"Okay then. A battle. If you win, I'll think about helping you. If I win, you leave and never come back. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules… will feel the wrath of the Smiling Blade," he declared, throwing down the challenge